South African President Cyril Ramaphosa On Trade, Reform, and the BRICS Alliance

Long before Trump retook the Oval Office, policymakers were concerned that South Africa's growing ties with Russia and China could undermine Washington’s strategic interests in the region. Against the backdrop of these concerns, President Cyril Ramaphosa examines South Africa’s domestic priorities, its bilateral trade relations with the United States, the future of BRICS, and the country’s role in Southern Africa.

 

This conversation was hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations during the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 

 

Background Reading: 

• This post unpacks the confrontational meeting between South African President Ramaphosa and U.S. President Trump in May 2025.

 

Host: Richard Stengel, Political Analyst at MSNBC; Former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State

 

Guest: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa

 

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